About ₱1.2 million worth of allegedly fake food seasoning was voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Barangay 26, Bacolod City, on Aug. 14, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Bacolod.
The surrendered shipment consisted of 125 sacks, each containing two boxes of the alleged counterfeit food seasoning, the CIDG said.
Authorities said the products were part of a shipment originally intended for a consignee identified by the alias “Choey.”
The voluntary surrender came after two suspects were arrested during a CIDG buy-bust operation on Aug. 5.
Following the arrests, the consignee reportedly stopped contacting the forwarding company.
The logistics company then coordinated with the CIDG and voluntarily surrendered the products to authorities.
With the assistance of a representative from the legitimate food company, authorities confirmed that the surrendered products were counterfeit.
The products were reportedly found to be in violation of Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code.
Authorities continue to investigate the shipment and the circumstances surrounding the alleged counterfeit products.
The surrender took place in Barangay 26, where the products were turned over to authorities after the logistics company coordinated with the CIDG.
The case remains under investigation as authorities determine the circumstances surrounding the shipment and its intended recipient.
No further details about the identities of the two arrested suspects or the consignee identified as “Choey” were provided in the report.
The authorities’ confirmation that the products were fake was made with the assistance of a representative from the legitimate food company.
The voluntary surrender followed the Aug. 5 buy-bust operation that resulted in the arrest of two suspects.
The CIDG said the investigation remains ongoing.
